Cylindrical container storage construction

ABSTRACT

A STORAGE AND DISPENSING CABINET FOR CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS HAVING CHUTE RAILS, ALONG WHICH CYLINDRICAL CONTAINERS, OR CANS, ARE PROGRESSED BY MEANS OF VERTICALLY RECIPROCATING CHUTE RAIL EXTENSIONS HAVING HOLD BACK MEANS. IN THE UPPERMOST POSITION THE CHUTE RAIL EXTENSION RECEIVE CAN AND IN THE LOWER POSITION, TRANSFER PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED CAN TO THE LOWER RAILS WHILE HOLDING BACK THE UPPER ROWS OF CANS.

May 23, 1972 s. L. BEESLEY I CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER STORAGE CONSTRUCTION2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, -1970 S0611 L. Beasley BY %4.

F/G. 3A

His Attorney y 23, 1972 s. L. BEESLEY CYLINDRICAL CONTAINER STORAGECONSTRUCTION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 6, 1970 INENTOR. Scott L.Bee's/ey F/G. 9A

% His Attorney United States FatentO ABSTRACTOFTHE DISVCLOSURIEII:

3,664,545 Patented May 23, 1972 her, either from the exterior of thestructure or by controlled descent in the row' of cylindricalcontainersin the rows holding the cylindrical containers above aparticular depleted 'row or rows involved. I

A further object is to provide conveniently operable lever means for thestorage and dispensing structure, wherein a counterweight device is usedto control the actuation of said lever means. A further object is toprovide a storage and dispensing structure having controlled gravityfeed wherein the prob- I lem of upsetting or 'avalanching of thecontainers from storage and dispensing icabinet for cylindricalcontainers having chute rails,-,along. which cylindrical containers, orcans, are progressed by means of vertically reciprocating chute railextensions having hold .back

means. In the uppermost position the chute rail extensions receive cansand-in the lower position, transfer previously received cans to thelower rails while hold ng back the upper rows of cans. I I I II I Thepresent invention relates to apparatus for storing and dispensingcylindrical containers of food or other substances and materials and,more particularly, to a new and improved structure permitting controlleddescent of containers within the structure and other improvementswhich-render the structure far more versatile and reliable than thoseheretofore devised. I v

The presentinvention includes in its structural features all of theresidential, commercial and capacity advantages of ,-the inventors US.patents, Nos. 2,901,118 and 3,419,185 and, in addition, incorporatesimprovements which render the structure unusually versatile,.easy touse, jarnproof, and more reliable than previous designs. I Theengineered structure can be adapted to store and dispense cylindricalcontainers having one or more different diameters within a single cellunit, and this without interfering with the operation of units so far asaccessability of other items within the unit are concerned. I

Modularized versions of the storage and dispensing structure can bestacked or simply disposed verticallyto assemble any desired arrangementof structures for different size cans.

Storage devices for cylindrical containers, or cans using zig-zag'orserpentine channels,'in' which the cans are acted upon by gravity arenot'new However, withfthe exception of the inventors apparatus describedin US. Pat. No. 3,419,185, all previous designs have had 'se'riousdisadvantages. The. disadvantage of such-previous designs has been thecumulative pressure exerted on the can to be dispensed caused by theweight of the remaining cans in the channel, making the removal of thecan to be dispensed very difiicult, and often causing a total avalancheof theremaining cans from the storage and dispensing unit. 1

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invenpressure of cansin the upper portions of the serpentine I or zig-zag-channel is avoided.I I

A further objectisto provide conveniently operable lever means for astorage and dispensing structure wherein, by actuation of such levermeans, depleted storage rows can be readily replenished in a simple,reliable 'man the dispensing rack is avoided. I I A further object is toprovide for the use of adapters to allow operation of the storage anddispensing structure with cans having different diameters.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel areset forth with particularity in the appended claims. The presentinvention, both as to' its organization and manner of operation,together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best beunderstood by reference to the following description, taken inconnection'with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, of certain storage and dispensingstructure incorporating the basic principles of the present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 2A are detailed vertical cross-sectional views taken alongline 22 in FIG. 1, illustrating the relative disposition of the internalstorage structure 11 and the external transfer structure 12 (FIG. 2) asthe lever structure 27 is moved from position A to position B (FIG. 2A),and returned to position A (FIG. 2).

FIG. 3 is a side view of two modularized versions of the storage anddispensing structure 87, showing the method for-vertically coupling saidstructures together.

FIG. 3A is a bottom view of the upper structure of FIG. '3, taken alonglines 3A-3A in FIG. 3.

FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 are detailed cross-sectional views of the chute railextensions 26 taken along the lines 44 and 55 in FIG. 2A, and 66 in FIG.2 respectively,

illustrating how stops and spacers may be added at the dispensing.structure 10, shown with the transfer structure 12 in position. A.

FIG. 8A is a view of said counter-weight means in the base cross-member1'7 with the transfer structure 12 in position B.

' FIG. 9 is a detail taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8, showing thecounter-weight means.

FIG. 9A is a top view of the same counter-weight means as shown in FIG.9, illustrating how the weight of the transfer structure 12 iscounter-acted by causing spring 52 to be compressed.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a chute rail 16 taken along line10-10 in FIG. 4.

In FIGS. 1, 2, and 2A, the storage and dispensing cabinet 10 is shown toconsist of two structures, a stationary internal storage structure 11and a vertically recipe rocating external transfer structure 12. Theinternal storage structure 11 consists of two vertical panels 13attached to base cross-members 17 and 18, and a plurality of crossbars14 and 15. The transfer structure 12 consists of two side assemblies 19made up of side panels 20, top panels 21 and bottom panels 22, attachedto opposite sides of a plurality of stop rails 23, a plurality of guardrails 24, a plurality of dispenser racks25 and a plurality of crossbars15. .Each dispensing rack 25 consists of a stop bar 67, and acontinuationof chute rails 16, attached to crossbar 15, as detailed inFIG. 2. The

. the stop,.rail s .23. a s the lever structure 27 is returned totransfer structure 12 is external to and contiguous to the internalstorage structure 11, and isconstructed to move up and down withrespect. to the storage structure 11, when actuated by lever structure27. Lever structure 27 consists of two lever arms 28, fulcrumed atpoints 29 on blocks 84, and attached together by handle 30, and

coupled to the transfer structure 12 by means of links 31, on each sideof the transfer structure 12. Links 31 are pivoted to the lever arms 28at points 65' and also pivoted to the transfer structure 12 at points66.Blocks 84 are attached to side panels 13 of, the storage structure 11 byscrews or other suitable fasteners.

\ The lever structure 27 is shown in position A, thenormally unactuatedposition. The phantom-line lever indication of .FIG. 1 shows the leverstructure .27 imposition-B, the actuated position, and limited infutrherdownward travel by stop block 7-4. The normal cycle of op- I torolling surfaces 73 by staples 75 are shown in crosssectional detail inFIG. 10. Taken in pairs, said arrangements of chute rails 16 and rollingsurfaces 73, held together by staples 75, form channels for the storageand transfer of cylindrical containers, or cans, within the storage anddispensing structure 10, said channels 'alternately tilted downward fromthe front and downward from the back in a zig-zag manner from the top tothe bottom of the storage section 11. As shown in FIGJ'Q, tilted chuterail extensions 26 are in correspondence with their respective chuterails 16, at the upper'endof each chute rail 16, but are tilted at agreater angle to accelerate can movement onto chute rails 16 when inposition A. The chute rails 16 of each level are mutually spacedhorizontally to form a series of pairs, said pairs constituting channelsalong which cans are constrained to roll as they descend from one chuterail 16 to the next one immediately below. An ensemble of thirteen cans,NC, is shown randomly placed between a 'pair of chute rails 16, toillustrate how the storage and dispensing structure 10 stores anddispenses said cans. FIG. 2A is the same-vertical cross-sectiontakenalong lines 22 in FIG: 1, showing the relative position of'thetransfer structure 12 and the storage structurev 11 with the leverstructure 27 actuated to position B. Chute rail extensions 26 are shownelevated to the lowest ends-of each corresponding elevated chute railextension 26, .as

shown ,in FIG. 2A. Said chute rail extensions 26 are tilted at a greaterangle to form a cuppingtaction, thus preventing the. last can in eachlevel from rockingback and forth between chute rails 16 and chute railextensions 26; this eliminates the possibilities of the storage anddispensing structure 10 being jammed by said cans becoming caughtbetween the tips of chute rails 16 and position A. When the leverassembly 27 is returned to position A, all cans thus captured by thechute rail extensions 26 will be lowered to the highest point of thechute rail -16 immediately below, for further descent into the storageand dispensing structure 10. Thus, by actuating lever assembly 27, cansbetween the chute rails 16 progress downward to fill the lower chuterails 16. When the chute rail leading to the dispenser rack 25 becomescompletely filled, the last can will be retained by the correspondingchute. railextension 26. Further actuation of the lever assembly 27.will cause thetaforementioned chute rail extension 26 to carry said canback up the chute rail 16 immediately above, where itblocks the captureof another can, and descendsback toits original position when the leverassembly 27 is returned to position, A

' Although the storage and dispensing structure 10 shown in FIG. 1 isshown constructed in four separate sections, with four separatedispenser racks 25, it is a simple matter to continue the constructionof thechute rails 16 herein described from the topof the structure tothe bottom, and provide for onlyone' dispenser rack 25. This isconvenient when'many cansofa given size are to be stored and dispensed!Alsd,'it should be mentioned that the storage and dispensingf structure10 can be easily constructed to handle cans NC having the same diameter,but dilferent lengths, by simply spacing the chute rails 16 andcorresponding chute rail .extensions 26 to form channels whose widthscorrespond to the lengths of the cans NC desired.

InFIGS.' 3 and 3A, side and bottom views of a mod ularized section 83 ofthe storage and dispensing structure 10 are shown, respectively.Constructional details of each 'moduleare identical to any of the fourseparate sections shown in the storage and dispensing structure 10 ofFIG. 1', with the exception that each modularized section 83 requires anindividual lever structure 32, fulcrumed at points 65 on blocks 85, andconnected to the transfer structure 87 by means of links 81 which arepivoted at points 66and 82. Blocks 85 are attached to side panels 35 ofthe transfer structure 87 of said modularizedsjection83. Stops'33 and34, attached to side 'panel ,35' and transfer structure 87',respectively, are provided tolimit the upper and lower positions of thelever structure 32 corresponding to positions A and B, respectively,shown in BIG. 1.

Provisioniis mad for thefve'rtical attachment of one module tothe next'by means of a slot cut in the top 'panel 36 of each module. Bolts 70,and wing nuts 71, or other suitable attachments, are .used tov lock themodules together by clamping the inner surface of the slot 37 to thebase panel 38of the module immediately, above.

In. EIA.:4,-.a detailed cross-sectionalong the line .4;4 in FIG. 2A isshown todepict the necessary constructional details of. the dispenserrack25 when the storage and dispensingstructure .10 is, used to storeand dispense cans vRC havinga reduced diamter. The; phantom line showsthe position of a can NC of normal size. The reduced diameter..,c an,RC, shown in cross-section by the .solid line, re sts against spacer 40,said spacer 40 so disposed 'are'made:longen-and the chute rails 16 inthe storage structure 12 are made shorter to insure proper operation ofthe 'storage and" dispensing'structure 10 with the reduced-'diametercan,RC.-

In"FIG.5, a detailed"cross-section along the line'5 5 in 2A is shown, toillustrate the placement of spacer 41"to guardrail24ftqjproperlyposition the can RC as itjis capturedby chute'railextension 26.

I FIG 6 is afdeta'iled vert ieal cross-section taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 2', showing a modified position for 'the stop rail 23, supported byshim strip-42 and a cross-member 78. .This construction is necessary forproper operation of the storage and dispensing structure with a reduceddiametercan, RC. I

Descending strips 79 are necessary to prevent descending cans RC fromrolling onto chute rails 16 before they are in proper position.

In FIG. 7A is shown a front and side view of an interlocking device, 43.This device consists of a block 44, to which are attached lockingsections 45 by means of screws 46, said locking sections 45 separatedfrom block 44 by spacers 76. Two adjacent side panels belonging to twoseparate storage and dispensing structures 10 are shown interlocked bysaid interlocking device 43 in FIG. 7. The locking sections 45 of theinterlocking device 43 are inserted into slots 47 cut into said sidepanels 13 and rotated one-quarter of a turn, thus locking said cabinetstogether.

In FIG. 8, a vertical cross-section of the bottom of the storage anddispensing structure 10, taken along lines 8-8 in FIG. 1, is depicted. Acounter-weight device 48, consisting of pulley structure 49, lever 50,bolt 51, and spring 52 is shown with the transfer structure 12 in thedown position, corresponding to position A. The pulley structure 49attached to transfer section 12 exerts pressure on lever 50, which inturn compresses spring 52. Said counter-weight device 48 is then causedto exert an upward pressure on the transfer structure 12 as the transferstructure is lowered, which has the effect of counteracting the weightof the transfer structure 12, making the operation of the storage anddispensing structure 10 practically effortless.

In FIG. 8A the same vertical cross-section as in FIG. 8 is shown, butwith the transfer structure 12 shown in the upper position correspondingto position B of the lever assembly 27.

In FIG. 9 a cross-sectional detail of the counter-weight device 48 isshown taken along line 99 in FIG. 8. The pulley structure 49 is attachedto the transfer structure 12 by means of a threaded bolt 53, passingthrough horizontal cross-member 54, attached to the transfer structure12, said threaded bolt 53 engaged to T nut 62 in the pulley structure49. Roller 56 is free to turn on pin 57, and establishes rolling contactwith plate 58 of the lever structure 50. The lever structure 50 ispivoted by pin 59, allowing the lower end of lever structure 50 to pressagainst spring 52. This type of construction allows easy repair andreplacement for all components of the counter-weight device 48, and thepulley structure 49.

In FIG. 9A a top view of the counter-weight device 48 is shown depictingthe pulley 56, rotating on pin 57, held in place by two small plates 60,stapled or otherwise fastened to the pulley structure 49. The pin 59,which serves as a pivot for lever structure 50 is also shown clearly,held in a slot of the counter-weight device 48 by staples 75 or othersuitable fasteners. The counter-weight device 48 is shown attached tobase cross-member 17 by means of threaded bolt 77 and a T nut 62.Adjustment of the spring pressure is made by turning threaded L-bolt 61either counter-clockwise or clockiwise. The two nuts 63 serve tosecurely locate the washer 64, which washer 64 acts as a stop for thespring 52. The counteracting force on the transfer structure 12 isincreased by turning L-bolt 61 counter-clockwise, i.e. out of T-nut 80,in creasing the compression in spring 52. Said counteracting force onthe transfer structure 12 is reduced by turning threaded L-bolt 61clockwise into T nut 80.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art thatchanges and modifications may be made without departing from thisinvention in its broader aspects, and, therefore, the aim in theappended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of this invention.

' I- claim: I

1. A storage and dispensing cabinet for cylindrical containersincluding, in-combination, a fixed, upright, storage structure havingvertically spaced sets of inclined gravity feed chute rails; a movabletransfer structure contiguous with and longitudinally movable withrespect to saidstorage structure, said transfer structure having chuterail extension means, positioned at greater downward incline than thatof said gravity feed chute rails, for transferring cylindricalcontainers downward from one set of chute rails to the next lower set ofchute rails, and stop means for excluding succeeding cylindricalcontainers; and means for raising and lowering said transfer structure.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said chute rail extension meansand said stop means of said transfer structure are constructed andarranged to be cooperatively disposed for the exclusive unobstructedtransfer of a single cylindrical container at a time when said raisingand lowering means is activated.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said transfer structure includeshorizontal stop rail means disposed to prevent pressure from cylindricalcontainers in upper sets of chute rails from exerting pressure uponcylindrical containers therebelow, and horizontal guard rails disposedintermediate of, spaced from, and outwardly of said horizontal stoprails and said rail extension means.

4. A storage and dispensing cabinet for cylindrical containersincluding, in combinations, a fixed, upright, storage structure havingvertically spaced sets of inclined gravity feed chute rails; a movabletransfer structure contiguous with and longitudinally movable withrespect to said storage structure, said transfer structure having chuterail extension means for transferring cylindrical containers downwardfrom one set of chute rails to the next lower set of chute rails, andstop means for excluding succeeding cylindrical containers; and meansfor raising and lowering said transfer structure, and wherein saidtransfer structure is provided with counter-weight means forcounteracting the weight of cylindrical containers resting in said chuterail extension means of said transfer structure.

5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said stop means are modified withhorizontal spacers for adapting said storage and dispensing cabinet tostore, transfer tolower chute rails and dispense cylindrical containershaving a reduced diameter.

6. A storage and dispensing cabinet for cylindrical containersincluding, in combination, a fixed, upright, storage structure havingvertically spaced sets of inclined gravity feed chute rails; a movabletransfer structure contiguous with and longitudinally movable withrespect to said storage structure, said transfer structure having chuterail extension means for transferring cylindrical containers downwardfrom one set of chute rails to the next lower set of chute rails, andstop means for excluding succeeding cylindrical containers; and meansfor raising and lowering said transfer structure, and wherein saidstorage structure includes means for inter-coupling an external,adjacent storage structure of an adjacent storage and dispensing cabinetthereto.

7. A storage and dispensing cabinet for cylindrical containersincluding, in combination, a fixed, upright, storage structure havingvertically spaced sets of inclined gravity feed chute rails; a movabletransfer structure contiguous with and longitudinally movable withrespect to said storage structure, said transfer structure having chuterail extension means for transferring cylindrical containers downwardfrom one set of chute rails to the next lower set of chute rails, andstop means for excluding succeeding cylindrical containers; and meansfor raising and lowering said transfer structure, and wherein saidstorage structure includes plural, vertically stacked storage sectionsindividual ones of which include respective chute rails respectivelyspaced apart a respective, diiferent, hori- UNITED STATES PATENTS 53,419,185 11/1968 Beesley 221-176 3,096,908 7/1963 Parker et a1. 221-1768 2/1943 Berger et a1. 221-241 4/1969 Bookout 221-241 STANLEY TOLLBERG,Primar y Examiner 05. c1. XQR.

